Indiana Department of Natural Resources

DNR State Fair Fishin' PondThe DNR’s Go FishIN program operates the Fishin’ Pond during the State Fair. This will be our 11th year. The Fishin’ Pond allows children ages 5-17 the opportunity to fish for free. Parents sign-up their kids at the registration table, families listen to a short talk about fishing safety, and then the kids can fish for up to 15 min. After fishing, the whole family can learn more about Indiana fish through a coloring activity and playing with fishy friends. In 2015, 3,700 kids fished at the Pond, and, for many of them, this was their first fishing experience. The program would not be such a success without the wonderful volunteers.

Would you like to volunteer? We need hundreds of people to help during the 17 days of the Fair. Volunteers get free admission to the Fair, a free Fishing Pond T-shirt, and the opportunity to fish with kids for a few hours at the Pond. If you don’t like touching worms, getting fishy, or standing in the sun, other volunteer needs are available. The Pond has 4 volunteer stations and needs a total of 18 volunteers each 3-hour fishing session: Registration (2), Fishing (12), Equipment (2), and Education (2).

RegistrationYou will help parents register their kids and let them know where they need to go next.

FishingYou will work directly with the kids and their families around the Pond. You will assist 2-3 kids at a time during their fishing experience and help bait hooks, cast the cane pole, catch fish, and return fish to the water.

Equipment You will tie knots to hooks and supply the fishing crew with ready-to-go cane poles.

EducationYou will help kids with a hands-on, educational, craft activity, which will be supplied. You will also hand out take home materials.